Gunfire was reported from across the Myanmar border in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, on Friday morning at the North Para border area of Whykong.
The incident follows Thursday evening, when a fisherman named Alamgir, 31, was shot while fishing in the Naf River.
Alamgir, a resident of Balukhali village near the Whykong BGB camp and son of Syed Ahmed, was admitted to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital for treatment.
Confirming the incident, Lieutenant Colonel Zahirul Islam, commanding officer of the 64 BGB Battalion in Ukhiya, said that gunfire was heard from across the Myanmar border on Friday morning and that residents in border areas had been advised to remain in safe locations.
He added that Alamgir had been injured by gunfire in the Naf River on Thursday and that the border forces remain on alert.
According to Alamgir’s family, he went fishing with other fishermen in the Naf River on Thursday afternoon. While reaching Bilashi Island in the middle of the river, gunfire suddenly came from the Myanmar side, hitting Alamgir in his left hand.
His brother, Yunus, said that one of his associates quickly rescued him and took him first to a hospital in Kutupalong, Ukhiya, before he was transferred to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital for advanced treatment due to worsening condition.
Local residents reported that tensions have risen in Rakhine State, Myanmar and that gunfire continued on Friday morning. Disputes over control of two newly emerged islands in the Naf River frequently lead to clashes and shootings between the Arakan Salvation Army (ARSA) and the Rohingya Nabi Hossain Force, with the RSO also involved in armed conflicts with ARSA.
Areas affected include Totar Dia, Hasimer Dia, Bilashi Island and Hoser Dia, causing fear among approximately 8,000 border residents and putting thousands of local fishermen at risk.
Mohammad Shahid, a resident of North Para near the Whykong BGB outpost, said that loud gunfire had been heard repeatedly since morning and that the previous day a fisherman had been injured, leaving the local population in a state of fear.
SI Khokon Kanti Rudra of Whykong Police Outpost confirmed that local residents reported gunfire from the Myanmar border on Friday morning.
He added that a fisherman was injured in the Naf River the previous day while fishing, though it could not be confirmed who fired the shots. He noted that residents frequently hear gunfire from across the border.
Sirajul Mostafa Lalu, member of Ward No 2 of Whykong Union Parishad, said that residents heard loud gunfire from across the border since morning, and that the incident of the injured fisherman had caused panic. He added that the BGB remains on alert.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Imamul Hafiz Nadim said that border residents had been advised to remain safe following the gunfire incident and that the welfare of the injured fisherman and his family was being monitored.
